Defeated, not disgraced

Shikhar Dhawan: 8
India's highest scorer in this World Cup with 412 runs in eight outings, Dhawan was one of the major reasons the defending champions got their campaign off to a cracking start. After a 73 against Pakistan, the southpaw turned the heat on the South Africans with a brilliant 137. Scored 100 against Ireland too. Threw his wicket away after a good start against Australia, though.

Rohit Sharma: 6
His typically classy hundred against Bangladesh in the quarterfinals was a treat to watch. Other than that, however, the World Cup debutant didn't quite live up to his billing. He did score a couple of fifties against the UAE and Ireland, but the two-time double centurion couldn't make an impact against the biggies: Pakistan, South Africa and Australia.

Virat Kohli: 5
Had a fairytale beginning: a match-winning century against Pakistan in front of a packed crowd. Sadly for Kohli, there was no fairytale ending. His shot against Mitchell Johnson in the semifinal left a lot to be desired, especially when India needed a big innings from their key batsman in a big chase. In between those two games, he didn't do much either.

Ajinkya Rahane: 5
Took his game to the next level in the Test series. Couldn't move it a notch higher in the World Cup. Among all the flair in the Indian batting line-up, Rahane was expected to provide that much-needed composure and stability. Ironically, however, his only note-worthy innings was a 60-ball 79 against South Africa. Other than that, had a fairly quiet six innings.

Suresh Raina: 7
Australia. Pace. Bounce. Problems. Opposition teams might've just put these four words next to Raina while analysing his game. But the southpaw played a big part in India's run to the semifinal. His 74 against Pakistan was probably as crucial as Kohli's ton. He won India the match against Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 110, and then scored a quick-fire 65 against Bangladesh. This World Cup would do his confidence a world of good.

MS Dhoni: 7
Questions were raised about the Indian team going into the World Cup. Dhoni knew most of the answers. Worked out his playing XI before the first match, and backed each one of them to the hilt. The turnaround happened. People saw a different Captain Dhoni in this World Cup, one that was attacking and pro-active (some questionable moves in the semis notwithstanding). Added weight to the 'best finisher of the world' tag with the bat too.

Ravindra Jadeja: 3
Dhoni likes to have him in the team. One wonders why. With nine wickets in eight matches, he did nothing spectacular with his slow left-armers. Mind you, he had the most expensive economy rate among Indian bowlers in this World Cup. Returned with 57 runs in five outings with the bat. He might be an asset on subcontinental wickets, but not quite overseas.

R Ashwin: 9
The biggest positive of the World Cup. Accused of being a defensive bowler, the offie was a different self throughout the campaign. Set the tone by removing Pakistan's Haris Sohail with a beauty in the first game, and didn't looked back since. He flighted the ball, got it to drift, turn and bounce. No wonder, then, that he returned with 13 wickets in eight outings.

Mohammed Shami: 8
To quote Sourav Ganguly, Shami was a revelation in this World Cup. Seventeen wickets in seven matches is great, but doing that at a strike rate of 21.5 is even better. The Bengal lad got the ball to swing, seam and even zip past the batsman's nose. He picked up at least two wickets in every match other than the semifinal, in which he looked a bit off-colour.

Mohit Sharma: 7
Was Dhoni's go-to bowler at the death, and came out with flying colours. Like Ashwin, picked up 13 wickets in eight matches, but at a better strike rate of 29. Kept things tight for the team whenever the situation demanded, and his slower deliveries from the back of the hand kept most batsman under check. Was a live-wire on the field. Remember the AB de Villiers run out?

Umesh Yadav: 7
Leapfrogged over Shami to become India's highest wicket-taker in this World Cup after his four-wicket haul against Australia. Bowled with a lot of pace, intent, and skill. Used the short delivery to good effect, and generated wickets out of them. Has a reputation of being a tad erratic, and it's something he'll have to work on going ahead.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 3
Not too long ago, he was the spearhead of the Indian attack. But injuries hampered him throughout the tour Down Under. Was declared fit after the Australia leg of the campaign, and Dhoni chose to test him against Ireland. Returned figures of 5-0-19-1. Shami came back for the next game, and that ended Bhuvneshwar's World Cup.

Duncan Fletcher: 6
Going purely by the technical improvements in the game of various players during the course of their time Down Under, Fletcher seems to have done a good job. But the team cracked under pressure in the semifinal, and the coach should take some blame for it. His contract expires now, and it remains to be seen if he stays or quits.

Ravi Shastri: 5
"We are not going to give any chances to any of our opponents and we are going to lift the trophy," Shastri roared after the team beat Ireland. Well, they did give chances to their opponent (Australia) and didn't lift the trophy. India's team director doesn't give "two hoots" about results, and he'll probably say that again. Maybe it's time he does.